New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat - 12/20/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New York Knicks vs Miami Heat

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019

Location: American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL

TV: Fox Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Miami -11

Total/Over-Under: 214

Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat (19-8, 1st in the Southeast Division) play the New York Knicks (6-21, 5th in the Atlantic Division) at American Airlines Arena on Friday, December 20, 2019. Miami opens this matchup as 11 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 214.

The Knicks cover the spread 53.6% of the time, having gone 15-13-0 ATS. Miami is covering 65.4% of the time, going 17-9-1 against the spread.

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/18/2019 Julius Randle PF Leg Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Frank Ntilikina PG Illness Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Allonzo Trier SG Concussion Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Reggie Bullock SG Back Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Wayne Ellington SG Achilles Game Time Decision

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/17/2019 Justise Winslow SF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/17/2019 Goran Dragic PG Groin Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/17/2019 James Johnson PF Personal Expected to be out until at least Dec 20

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle comes into this contest averaging 17.4 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 67%. Marcus Morris averages 18.8 points per game in 32.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 5.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Bam Adebayo averages 15.5 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 10.6 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 57% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Jimmy Butler averages 20.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.5 rebounds per contest and 6.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 102.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -8.8 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 45.6 rebounds per game and 20.5 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.5 per game. The Knicks allow 111.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 14th and they give up 23.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 11th in the league with 112.1 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 4.9. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.8 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 25.2. The Heat are 2nd in turnovers per game with 16.9. The Heat surrender 107.2 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.3 assists allowed per contest and 3rd with 41.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 113.4, and their offensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 26th. They are 26th in the NBA in pace with 97.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. New York is 18th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Heat are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 106, and their offensive rating of 110.8 is ranked 10th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Knicks/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take New York +11

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